Garcia bogeyed the 12th after a woeful chip which ran through the back of the green but birdied the 15th and 17th but a bogey in between on the 16th left him on eight under par, and that was suddenly five shots off the lead held by Bradley Dredge. Dredge had followed a birdie on the 14th with an eagle three on the 15th to move to 13 under par, two shots ahead of playing partner, Germany's Marcel Siem.

SOUTH AFRICA FINISH CAMPAIGN WITH WIN
South Africa ended their Tri-Nations campaign with a 24-16 victory over Australia. Tries from Fourie du Preez and Breyton Paulse set the home side on their way at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Andre Pretorius added a conversion, three penalties and a drop-goal.

However, the win failed to lift South Africa from the bottom of the standings. Australia came second but both were well-behind winners New Zealand.

MILLAR CAPTURES SPANISH STAGE VICTORY
Scot David Millar won yesterday's 14th stage of the Tour of Spain, a 33.2 km time-trial around the town of Cuenca.

Millar finished the stage in 40 minutes 54 seconds for his first major win since returning from a two-year doping ban just before the Tour de France. Spain's Alejandro Valverde, who finished fourth fastest on the day, retained the overall lead. He is one minute 25 seconds ahead of Andrey Kashechkin, who came fifth in the time trial.

"This victory proves that it is possible to race and win at the highest level in cycling without using banned drugs, " he said. "I lost everything when I got banned but now I'm back, it's fantastic."

MAYO WIN THE ALL IRELAND
Mayo's Fintan Ruddy, with a placed kick from 62 metres, defeated fourtimes champion Mark Herbert from Kildare in a play-off, to win the seventh annual MBNA Kick Fada, hosted by Bray Emmets GAA club.

Twenty four players competed, including Dublin's Darren Magee, Ray Cosgrove and Mark Vaughan, Paul Hearty of Armagh, Fergal Byron of Laois, Westmeath goalkeeper Gary Connaughton and Ciaran McManus from Offaly. Gillian Bennett from Meath won the ladies title with a kick from 48 metres.

NO GLORY FOR BATTLING DANVERS-SMITH
Commonwealth 400 metres hurdles silver medallist Natasha Danvers-Smith finished fifth in the World Athletics final in Stuttgart. The US-based star clocked a time of 55.23 seconds as Lashinda Demus, this summer's world number one, won in 53.42secs.

PREPARATION PAYS OFF FOR MORIARTY
Louise Moriarty kept the visiting competitors at bay as she landed the first stage of Ras Na mBan on the outskirts of Balbriggan. Moriarty, who has based herself on the continent in preparation for the defence of her title, made no mistake in the dash for the line.

There was an excellent turnout of 71 competitors.

WILKINSON WAITS FOR INJURY VERDICT
Newcastle Falcons out-half Jonny Wilkinson had a scan on his right knee yesterday amid fears he has sustained medialligament damage. The England World Cup winner left the field five minutes into the second half of Friday's 20-19 Premiership victory over Worcester Warriors.

CONFERENCE TO DEBATE FUTURE OF IRISH SPORT
The Federation of Irish Sports will host a conference on the future of Irish sport this Thursday. 'Irish Sport- the Political Agenda' takes place at sportHQ, ParkWest.

Speakers will include Minister for Arts, Sports and Leisure John O'Donoghue, TDs Jimmy Deenihan and Jack Wall and Chief Executive of the Olympic Council of Ireland, Dr Stephen Martin. For more details please contact info@irishsports. ie